"As recently as the 1950s, 45 states and the federal government had them
on the books. They began to erode during the New Deal, when the Social
Security Act passed and the concept of government rather than familial
responsibility started to take hold."

14 comments:

Here is a big 'finger' your direction Cappy. Not because you are wrong, but because you nailed it and rubbed it right on my face.

After a number of years my parents are calling it quits. While not being 100% certain of what is going on, I can safely say that a number of narratives discussed here appear to be playing out.

I can say this though: Together they would have been OK. Apart (and after the lawyers take their increasing cut) it's going to be close. Projections based on health and grandparents are pretty straightforward. Did I mention that mother is just now coming to terms with how much Dad did for her and how much he put into caring for her?

In Ontario this is also part of the law. Your only defense is to move out of province or country. A friend of mine had 4 siblings, they all fled the farm as soon as they were able. One to alberta, one to australia, another to the US. He being the baby, much younger than his brothers and sisters, was finally protected by his mother in a way his siblings were not from the dad. So if you were abused as a child, dont be surprised if you get abused by the courts as an adult.

I made a point of never telling my parents my income or the amount I've saved and made clear I would not be providing funds for their retirement. They did not pay for my education, spent excessively on baubles and borrowed to the max, all despite my warnings to the contrary. And they received a significant amount over the years from their own parents. Never underestimate a Boomer's sense of entitlement.

The parents can't come after your money, the STATE can. And using your parents is just one excuse they use. They also use the "education of your neighbor's kids", "feeding the hungry", and "housing the poor in a manner to which they have become accustomed" (i.e. in your neighborhood).